[frankthetoad]

Finally upgrading. I've been searching for this car for quite some time. I initially wanted a 6MT, but after realizing I spend 80% of my driving time in stop-and-go traffic, the automatic made sense. Luckily it's the sport package with the paddles.

Very excited to take possession tomorrow. Already have a lot of items on order and the previous owner has done a lot of preventative maintenance.

What are some items that I should watch out for? Mechanically, it seems solid with the works he's done in advance. Only issues are cosmetic- fan buttons are bad (replacement on the way), tow hook cover is missing (replacement is on the way), wheel has some flaking around the airbag, and the window trim needs rewrapping.

[BioChemBro]

Just like the n54, watch out for gaskets

My last car was an n55, my ofhg failed twice (dealer installed)

[JUMAS]

PCV/Valve cover, spark plugs, coils, HPFP, OFHG, water pump/thermostat.

Quite a few things that could go wrong even if they have already.
Good luck on your new journey.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

I’ve only been on here a few weeks but I’ve learned very quickly that these cars are like a beautiful woman...you can’t take your eyes off of one, they’re a total blast to drive hard, they’re high maintenance, and they can leave you walking home without warning at any time...

[BimmerNugget]

POST Pics of both your old and new ride!!!! Interior and Exterior! Thanks!

[EB89]

Coolant expansion tank will probably crack and leak
Water pump leak / die
Oil Filter Housing Gasket leak
Valve Cover Gasket leak

Do yourself a favour, dont put a JB4 on it.

If you are looking to do power mods

Catless Dowpipe
FMIC
MHD Stage 2+

Thats the FBO starting point

If you have the cash, get a custom tune
If you have E85 around you, LPFP upgrade and flash the E30 map or get an E custom tune

Intakes are snake oil on stock turbo cars

Buy quality brands

Enjoy the car

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by frankthetoad

Finally upgrading. I've been searching for this car for quite some time. I initially wanted a 6MT, but after realizing I spend 80% of my driving time in stop-and-go traffic, the automatic made sense. Luckily it's the sport package with the paddles.

Very excited to take possession tomorrow. Already have a lot of items on order and the previous owner has done a lot of preventative maintenance.

What are some items that I should watch out for? Mechanically, it seems solid with the works he's done in advance. Only issues are cosmetic- fan buttons are bad (replacement on the way), tow hook cover is missing (replacement is on the way), wheel has some flaking around the airbag, and the window trim needs rewrapping.

Gaskets -

1) valve cover
2) oil filter housing gasket
3) rear main seal
4) megatronic transmission sleeve
5) oil pan gasket

I'd drive it for a year before I'd start modifying it. Get to know the car's ins and outs.

[Arby1028]

Here's what I've dealt with: water pump replaced, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover and gasket (warped), radiator replaced (leaking) and now when I'm under moderate or hard acceleration it "stumbles" and throws out a cloud of black smoke. Injector, vacuum leak or something else.

[TemjinX2]

it is a lot more maintence then a 325 but you forget all about that once you put your foot on the pedal

[NitroKing]

[frankthetoad]

Originally Posted by EB89

Coolant expansion tank will probably crack and leak
Water pump leak / die
Oil Filter Housing Gasket leak
Valve Cover Gasket leak

Do yourself a favour, dont put a JB4 on it.

If you are looking to do power mods

Catless Dowpipe
FMIC
MHD Stage 2+

Thats the FBO starting point

If you have the cash, get a custom tune
If you have E85 around you, LPFP upgrade and flash the E30 map or get an E custom tune

Intakes are snake oil on stock turbo cars

Buy quality brands

Enjoy the car

Recent maintenance a few months before the sale to me included new valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil cooler housing gasket, new OEM Bosch spark plugs within the last 3,000 miles, oil change with OEM BMW recommended oil, coolant reservoir replaced, and complete coolant refill.

He's installed the VRSF aluminum charge pipe and VRSF cat-less downpipe, and tuned to Stage 2 (93OCT map) with MHD.

I'll be looking to add an FMIC and taking it to stage 2+. Getting rid of the RFTs this weekend for some Conti ExtremeContact Sports. I've got some WeatherTech mats, a painted keyhole cover, and a new tow hook cover (missing from the car) all on the way. I need to find a new automatic shift knob as the chrome is peeling away from the existing knob.

Coming from a 2006 325i, this was a lot of fun to drive home today! Will post pics eventually. I live in NOLA and there was a rainstorm of biblical proportions today.

[EB89]

Originally Posted by frankthetoad

Recent maintenance a few months before the sale to me included new valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil cooler housing gasket, new OEM Bosch spark plugs within the last 3,000 miles, oil change with OEM BMW recommended oil, coolant reservoir replaced, and complete coolant refill.

He's installed the VRSF aluminum charge pipe and VRSF cat-less downpipe, and tuned to Stage 2 (93OCT map) with MHD.

I'll be looking to add an FMIC and taking it to stage 2+. Getting rid of the RFTs this weekend for some Conti ExtremeContact Sports. I've got some WeatherTech mats, a painted keyhole cover, and a new tow hook cover (missing from the car) all on the way. I need to find a new automatic shift knob as the chrome is peeling away from the existing knob.

Coming from a 2006 325i, this was a lot of fun to drive home today! Will post pics eventually. I live in NOLA and there was a rainstorm of biblical proportions today.

That sounds like a solid plan.

New Tyres
FMIC
Stage 2+

Maybe some spacers to pop the wheels out and look a bit nicer. Do you have 19 inch 313m wheels?

I forgot about the charge pipe but thats a good one also

[frankthetoad]

Originally Posted by EB89

That sounds like a solid plan.

New Tyres
FMIC
Stage 2+

Maybe some spacers to pop the wheels out and look a bit nicer. Do you have 19 inch 313m wheels?

I forgot about the charge pipe but thats a good one also

They're the stock 18" wheels. I don't hate them, so I'll keep them until I need new tires again and then reevaluate.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by frankthetoad

Coming from a 2006 325i, this was a lot of fun to drive home today! Will post pics eventually. I live in NOLA and there was a rainstorm of biblical proportions today.

Hey frank...glad to see another NOLA noob represented here. I just got a 2007 335i a few weeks ago and I’m in mandeville.

I tried the MHD flasher for the first time tonight and I seem to coaxed a misfire our of cylinder 5 in the process...🙄

[frankthetoad]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

Hey frank...glad to see another NOLA noob represented here. I just got a 2007 335i a few weeks ago and I’m in mandeville.

I tried the MHD flasher for the first time tonight and I seem to coaxed a misfire our of cylinder 5 in the process...🙄

Greater NOLA area represent! I'm actually in Destrehan.

Stage 2 seems awesome to me, but I don't know what it feels like at stock since I bought it with the flash. I am going to get an FMIC soon and do the Stage 2+, because why not?! Going to have to wait a little bit though- putting Conti ExtremeContact Sports on it this weekend, got some WeatherTech mats and other cosmetic items trying to refresh worn parts, and need to stop spending for a month or two.

[EB89]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

Hey frank...glad to see another NOLA noob represented here. I just got a 2007 335i a few weeks ago and I’m in mandeville.

I tried the MHD flasher for the first time tonight and I seem to coaxed a misfire our of cylinder 5 in the process...🙄

Tunes will expose ageing plugs and coils

[EB89]

Originally Posted by frankthetoad

Greater NOLA area represent! I'm actually in Destrehan.

Stage 2 seems awesome to me, but I don't know what it feels like at stock since I bought it with the flash. I am going to get an FMIC soon and do the Stage 2+, because why not?! Going to have to wait a little bit though- putting Conti ExtremeContact Sports on it this weekend, got some WeatherTech mats and other cosmetic items trying to refresh worn parts, and need to stop spending for a month or two.

Better plan is to spend the moment now and then stop and start saving

[frankthetoad]

Necrobump.

Since I've owned the car I've had to replace the cooling fan, waterpump, and thermostat. I've bought new matte black upper window trim for the driver's side (the chrome had been painted and was chipping), removed rust from rotor hats and calipers and painted black, installed a BMS intake, reflashed MHD stage 2 with some changes, flashed xHP TCU stage 3.

Keeping the wheels, but thinking about doing a full audio upgrade since I have the crappy non-Professional package stereo.

It's a money pit, but it's a fun money pit. I'll get pics up eventually.